How to safely use a stroller?

January 16 2023

Did you buy a good, certified baby stroller? That's great, but do you know how to use it to keep your toddler safe and comfortable on walks? What you need to take care of that the child does not fall out of the stroller? What to look for - carrying both an infant and an older child? What is maintenance of a baby stroller and how to keep it in good technical condition? Read tips and tricks from the knowledge of products available on the market and many years of experience in giving opinions on various types of prams for children.  

The best and most expensive pram with appropriate approvals will not be safe for your child if you do not pay attention to the way you use it. When choosing things for the child, First of all, it is necessary to take into account the safety of the baby, and only then to consider such issues as the convenience of use or the external appearance.

Rules for using a pram

It would seem that using a pram is intuitive. Nothing could be more wrong. A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reported that every year 17 children worldwide suffer injuries related to improper use of a pram or its faulty design.

Aleksandra Swiebod

Head of the Department of Assessment and Development of Cooperation at the Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

Therefore, various legal regulations have been created in order to minimize the number of construction errors and eliminate the risk of injury. Manufacturers are obliged to care for the quality of materials and the appropriate construction of the trolley. However, let's not forget that the correct use of a stroller is as important as correctness at the design and production stage. With your child's best interests in mind, it is important to take the time to become familiar with the basic safety rules. However, the best regulations and rules will not protect your child from an accident if you do not follow a few very important tips regarding use and maintenance of the baby stroller.

Learn the simple rules, the observance of which will enable the safe use of a pram:

  • read the instructions and follow the manufacturer's recommendations;
  • use brakes and locks;
  • watch out for the load;
  • remember about hygiene;
  • take care of the technical condition and proper maintenance. 

Efficient brakes are essential

During each stop, the trolley should be properly secured in order to avoid the possibility of spontaneous movement. Above all, bear in mind all sloping places where there is a risk of the stroller and the child rolling away.

Carrying a child in a stroller in public transport requires double vigilance. You must be absolutely sure that you are able to fully control the wheelchair, and without brakes this is impossible. Maintenance of a baby stroller requires regular technical inspection of the brakes - it is better not to allow a situation where they refuse to obey while driving. It is also important to limit the unnecessary load on the stroller.

Aleksandra Swiebod

Head of the Department of Assessment and Development of Cooperation at the Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

All over the world, accidents happen from time to time because of a pram that rolls down with a baby that has not been properly immobilized. The brake should be used for this purpose in any situation when there is any risk of the stroller and the child moving automatically. Better to use it even with exaggeration to prevent any dangerous situations.

Beware of excessive load on the wheelchair

Many people violate the rules of safe use of the stroller by overloading its structure. Especially Hanging purchases on the handle significantly reduces the stability of the stroller and increases the likelihood of an accident. It is worth remembering about this when using public transport, e.g. city buses - an overloaded stroller can easily overturn if the vehicle suddenly brakes.

So that the child does not fall out of the stroller or it did not fall over with it, we should use a special bag hung on the frame from the pram or a basket factory mounted under the gondola.

Before every exit it is worth considering what is really needed and packing only the necessary items. It's best to have a permanent, tailored to the individual needs and age of the child, list of accessories. These can be, for example, two diapers for a change, a small pack of wet wipes, a small bottle of water, light toys, necessary medicines, etc.

Stocking up for a few weeks doesn't make sense - you should take what you need for a specific outing each time. Reasonable planning will prevent the wheelchair from destabilizing and will increase the comfort of use.

Folding and unfolding a baby stroller

A properly constructed trolley should not be able to fold automatically. Strollers available on the market today are equipped with various types of locks that will help you ensure maximum safety for your child. Fold and unfold the stroller away from childrenbecause children have an innate curiosity and a tendency to explore the world through touch.

In addition, make sure that the stroller is stable during use and its moving parts are out of reach of the child. Pay attention not only to metal elements, but also any belts or strings.

What to do, so that the child does not fall out of the stroller?

In the development of children, certain safety rules are extremely important, which will avoid unnecessary risk and will favor the proper shaping of individual sections of the spine. This is especially true children under the age of one, who should not be placed on a soft pillowalso due to the risk of suffocation. While walking, pay attention to whether the child is lying with his face turned towards you. The baby should not turn over on his tummy.

Also remember about fastening seat belts in the case of strollers, that the child does not fall out of the stroller – not only while driving, but also when stationary. The same applies to carrying younger children in a gondola (deep pram) sitting down - once they have mastered this skill. The child should then be strapped in suspendersthat can be purchased for this purpose. The gondola is not equipped with safety belts.

So that the child does not fall out of the strollerthat starts rolling in an uncontrolled manner (e.g. rolling off a slope), the brakes must be effectively blocked during each, even temporary, stop.

Keeping the trolley clean

Maintenance of a baby stroller it cannot be done without taking care of its cleanliness. It is very important to regularly clean the upholstery and other parts of your stroller - read the manufacturer's recommendations before you start doing it for the first time. Keeping your stroller clean is an important part of preventing dangerous infections in children. Remember that a stroller, touched by many people, is an ideal place for the growth of bacteria.

Of course, it's unrealistic (and unhealthy) to stay completely sterile. A properly developing child should have contact with the outside world, but not necessarily with a dirty pram. When cleaning the stroller, remember to choose the right cleaning agents that are safe for the child. This way you will take care of both baby's skin conditionas well as about durability of materialsof which the cart is made.

Maintenance of a baby stroller

In order to keep the equipment in good condition, systematic technical inspections and checks are essential maintenance of a baby stroller. It is very important to look for possible faults. Early detection of a crack in the frame or upholstery of your stroller can help prevent this dangerous accidents. It is also important to check that all the brakes are working properly and that the wheels have adequate mobility.

Parents often ask what it should look like maintenance of a baby stroller. In addition to keeping textile parts clean, you also need to take care of construction elements. When washing the wheels, remember not to do it under running water, otherwise there is a risk of metal parts rusting. Use compressed air and a suitable maintenance agent (adapted to the type of material), then wipe the wheels with a cloth.

Destroyed items should be disposed of as far as possible exchangebecause the damaged structure of the stroller has a very negative effect on its stability. If you do not know how to fix a given fault, contact the manufacturer or a professional service center. Be especially careful when using old or used strollers.

Recommended products

Anna Milewska

Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child

Selection of additional accessories for the stroller

It is worth considering various additional accessories that will provide the child with the greatest possible comfort. In stores you can find all kinds mosquito nets, raincovers, umbrellas, covers, drink holders etc. By properly stocking up, you will keep your child comfortable, regardless of the weather. At the same time, remember not to limit access to fresh air and use only products with appropriate certificates and approvals confirming the safety of raw materials and construction.

Author

Aleksandra Swiebod

Head of the Department of Assessment and Development of Cooperation at the Institute of Mother and Child

EU funding
Please be advised that in order to provide services available on our website, optimize its content and adapt the website to your individual needs, we use information saved using cookies on end users' devices. Cookies can be controlled through the settings of your web browser. By continuing to use our website without changing the browser settings, the user accepts the use of cookies. More information is contained in privacy policy service.
I Accept